Football Optimism Moving Forward

[gocy444]

I think we’re all pretty bummed about how the last week played out, but I’m a glass half full guy and there are real reasons for optimism moving forward:

1. We’re on an even playing field with our peers.
   In the past we had to battle Texas, OU, Nebraska, A&M, and Mizzou, all programs with much bigger historical profiles. And during that same run K State, Oklahoma State, and Baylor were all rolling. Today, outside of Texas Tech and maybe BYU, we are recruiting against teams that are truly on our level.
2. Our name carries weight now, especially in the Midwest.
   Kids who are 18 to 22 years old know Iowa State as a consistent top 25ish program. When Campbell took over, today’s high school seniors were about eight years old. All they have ever seen is ISU being solid and nationally relevant.
3. Our facilities are legitimately impressive.
   We have the second largest stadium in the Big 12, an upgraded football complex, and we are far removed from the days of practicing at Lied Rec. By conference standards we are in a really strong spot.
4. $13-15 million dollars in NIL is real firepower.
   No, we are not playing in the Penn State or SEC money tier, but we have never recruited head to head with those schools anyway. We now have enough resources to consistently attract and retain the level of talent needed to compete for Big 12 titles.
5. The defense needed a reset.
   Big 12 offenses adjusted, and the 3-3-5 was not going to be the long term answer. A change was overdue, and I am excited to see what Coach Rodgers does with a fresh defensive vision.

I am all in on Coach Jimmy Rodgers. Hopefully he keeps a few key pieces, builds a tough roster, and brings new energy to the program.

You are either with us or against us. Roll Clones!!

 

[Cyclonepride]

My only concern is that, while we really are well positioned right now as one of the stronger programs in our conference, it doesn't take long to squander that. I like the hire, I like the decisiveness, but competitiveness needs to come almost right away, and success needs to come relatively quickly.

 

[Letterkenny]

It's time to find out if our football program was a flash in the pan, or if we have a real program that can remain solid and in the top half of the Big 12 through multiple coaches.

We're never going back to the 80's-90's era. There's been too much invested and we have too much fan support for that to happen. So I think the floor of the program has been raised, no matter who is coaching.

 

[Cyclonepride]

I do agree about moving away from the 3-3-5 as well. Heacock was a freaking wizard with it, but the Big 12 has been steadily moving away from some of the pass happy offenses of the past.

 

[ruxCYtable]

I'm over the grief. I love the hire and am excited to move forward.

 

[52342cyclone]

I'd just like to add its, Rogers, not Rodgers.

 

[HeiseRiser]

And no more three yard passes on third and 5.

 

[AHF]

CJR used the word "process" in his opening speech.

We good y'all.

 

[cycloner29]

I still miss the 3rd and 5 delay draws up the middle. Those were the days.

 

[CyBlitz]

Tracker: WSU players entering transfer portal and decommitting

Transfer portal opens Jan. 2 and runs until Jan. 16

247sports.com

 

[GraniteStateClone]

Hoping the new regime doesn't figure out a way to decimate one position group with injuries each year - I'm looking at you linebackers and secondary. We'll see if new strength and conditioning and coaching staff make a difference. Oh, and maybe a special teams coach so we at least don't repeatedly make punts live balls?

 

[hawthorncourt]

I just hope CJR has some good taste in music for an intro. Not this, but chose the best song in the world.

 

[aeroclone]

Agreed with all of this. CMC was a great coach for us, but the idea that he is irreplaceable based on his level of success compared to ISU history is flawed. The level of investment in our program and facilities, the national perception of our brand, and our parity to other programs in the conference following realignment, are all at best ever levels in school history. All those factors remain in place today except for the head coach. Make a good hire and all the other tools are in place to continue success. And I believe we did make a good hire.

 

[Paz23]

I still miss the 3rd and 5 delay draws up the middle. Those were the days.

Ah, yes. The Walden draw. But I don't remember many 3rd and 5's. 3rd and 25? Yes...plenty.

 

[madguy30]

By now you generally knew what you were getting with CMC, which overall was great at 7-8 wins and last year's exception.

Maybe it's time for something new though and we'll see where it goes.

 

[1TwistedCyclone]

You know what, lets double down on doing things by the book, keeping the AD and university in the black (except the jerseys), and win the Cyclone way. Nothing is finer than shoving it in a bunch of rich snobs' faces.

 

[bigsag]

Back in 2005, my son enrolled in Electrical Engineering at South Dakota State University. When Iowa State had away games, I would head to Brookings (if they had a home game). I really enjoyed watching Jackrabbit football. They had pretty good QBs; a couple of outstanding running backs; and, a decent offensive line (a local kid from Kingsley was an OT). I only remember one name from those 3 years of watching Jackrabbit football and that was this undersized LB that ALWAYS went full speed. I would looked up to see who is that guy ? Somebody named Jimmy Rogers (from Arizona). Only Jackrabbit player from nearly 30 years ago that I specifically remember his name is Jimmy Rogers......

 

[BCClone]

Tracker: WSU players entering transfer portal and decommitting

Transfer portal opens Jan. 2 and runs until Jan. 16

247sports.com

5 11 195# backer. Ok, that is right at our safety size.

 

[ZorkClone]

1. I wonder if the Black/ No gold uniform thing really was a Campbell thing? Maybe we can get black uniforms being used more sparingly.

2. I'm optimistic about a 4-2-5. Depending on how many defensive players we maintain, I wonder if we have the number of DL required to run this. Maybe some of our bigger LB can move to a DE hybrid role?

 

[qwerty]

I'd just like to add its, Rogers, not Rodgers.

But he is all about D(efense), so everyone feels impelled to include a D in his name.